Wharfedale denied at the death as Sedge hang on for victory

Wharfedale denied at the death as Sedge hang on for victory

WHARFEDALE were denied at the death as home side Sedgley Park hung on to win a close, hard-fought pre-Christmas encounter at Park Lane on Saturday.
The Tigers started strongly and took an early lead when a reverse field kick saw full back Riley cross unopposed under the sticks. The conversion from Collins was a formality and the hosts were 7-0 to the good after just two minutes.
With Sedgley Park looking to extend their lead, it took good defence from the Greens to keep out the home side.
The Sedge back three looked menacing and, with Collins starting to run the show with nifty inside passes to bring backs and forwards alike into the game, it was full credit to the visitors that they kept their line intact.
Gradually Wharfedale got a toe hold in the game and Rian Hamilton went close after being put away by Ben Parkinson. The winger's kick and chase was thwarted when he knocked on a bouncing ball with the line open.
Hamilton was unfortunate again shortly after when an intelligent kick to the corner from Jack Blakeney-Edwards saw a wicked bounce evade the Dale number 14.
Sedgley Park came back strongly and only a wayward pass and subsequent knock on stopped them adding to their early score.
Pressure on the Wharfedale pack, an unusual occurrence this campaign, saw the home side awarded a penalty but their excursion deep in Dale territory came to nought.
A sustained period of Wharfedale pressure in the Sedge 22 saw a number of penalties awarded to the Greens and, with Josh Burridge, Chris Walker and Ben Leacock to the fore, they battered the home line.
After Blakeney-Edwards went close, it was left to George Hedgley to crash over from short range. The conversion was missed, amidst a small minority of ill mannered jeering from the clubhouse balcony, and the players went in to half-time with the score 7-5 to the Sedge.
Shortly after the restart, Blakeney-Edwards put the visitors in front with a penalty for close in.
Collins gave the edge on the scoreboard back to the Tigers with a well-taken penalty goal and approaching the hour mark the game was still in the balance at 10-8.
With the introduction of the Wharfedale bench, two players with over 100 starts for the club, one with vast Premiership experience, and another who is pushing for player of the season so far, the Greens were confident that their added power would help them take the spoils.
This certainly looked to be the case when, with backs and forwards linking to good effect, after numerous controlled phases Bullough crossed under the posts for a converted try and the visitors led 15-10.
Another Collins penalty saw the home side back to within two points and from the resulting kick-off, the gods of rugby transpired to cruelly thwart the Dale.
A good chase from the Greens and a partial charge down fell into the Park prop's hands some 15 metres in front of the kicker and in space.
The ball was spun out wide to the pacy Simpson, who outstripped the defence to score in the corner. An immaculate touchline conversion from Collins took the score to 20-15.
Collins had the chance to extend the Sedge lead but his penalty drifted wide.
With the Tigers running down the clock the visitors were awarded a welcome penalty. A catch and drive from the ensuing line out was thwarted by the hosts and, as the clock went into overtime, the Greens set up camp in the Sedgley Park 22.
Wave after wave of Wharfedale pressure, with ever impressive centre Ben Blackwell outstanding, came to nought as a knock-on halted play and Mr O’Brien blew the full-time whistle.
Wharfedale players, coaches and supporters can consider themselves unlucky to lose yet another close game, but all 20 players put in a solid shift and can be proud of their efforts. To single out individuals would be harsh as this was a team performance.
A little bit more composure will stand the Greens in good stead for the remainder of the season on resumption in the New Year.
Wharfedale: Harry Bullough, Rian Hamilton, Ben Blackwell. Ben Parkinson, Oli Cicognini, Jack Blakeney-Edwards, Sam Gaudie (Phil Woodhead 53), Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale (Ben Sowrey 53), Toms Asejevs (Jack Hirst 60), George Hedgley, Ben Leacock (Richard Rhodes 48), Chris Walker, James Tyson, Josh Burridge (Matt Houghton 48).

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here